The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-11-24


cations Of the island and on the main land
were OF . formidable character, and so con-
structed that the gunboats could not come
within range Of one without being subjected
to . concentrated fire from the others.
On the morning Of March 10 the lombard
mSnt was begun at 9 distance Of two miles
and . half, and IL continued day after day
for three weeks Tons OF iron were hurled
into the Confederate works, but without pro-
ducing any apparent impression On the LIST
% April Gen. Beauregard taiegraphed to the
war department at Richmond that the bonn
bardmsnt had continued fifteen days, in
which time the enemy had thrown 5000
shells, expanding about 100 600 pounds Of
powder, with the result of one man killed
and none seriousiy wounded. SEvery day"
says southern history OF the war, %tbS NOR
tars continued to boom and the cannon OF
the Island replied with dun, sullen roar,
wasting shot and temper alikA The very
birds became accustomed TO the artificial
thunder, and slightsd upon the branches Of
the trees 0verhanging the mortars in the sui
phurOus smoke" It Il only necessary for one
to realize the sublime poetry Of war to inn
0gine dozen Of these monsters laundering at
once, the air filed with smoke clouds, the
gunboats belching out destruction, the shells
screaming through the air with unearthly
sounds. and the distant guns Of the enemy
Island, dashing the water up In glistening col
umns and jstS OF spray.
Finding that IL was impossible TO capture
the position with artillery, Gen. HAlleck Or
dered Gen. Pope to ascertain if it were posi-
BILE TO construct Q road along the western
bank Of the river through the swamps and
erect batteries opposite the island that could
cooperate with the feet. The Federal en-
ginesrs declared that the plan was not FEAST
hlA TwharnnsVOra TIni0u Vaefflav1k .nRN
Madrid suggested that q steamboat canal
might Be cut across the promontory. The
thought was at once adopted, and steamers
and light draught boats were sent down
from Cairo with the necessary implements
TO prosecute the work. The distance to be
trAversed by the canal was twelve miles; its
width was 70 be fifty feet and its depth not
les than four and half feet One-half OF
its length was to be cut through heavy tim
Der. The remainder Of the canal ran
through stagnant, swampy bayous filed with
tangled brush. This herculean labor" says
Gen. Pope, "was prosecuted with untiring
labor and determination, under exposure and
privAtions very unusual even in the history
Of warfare"
RUNNING A GAUNTLET OF FIRE.
At last, on the 18th OF April, the canal was
open and ready for use. Light transports
COu4u pooo tnEOuBu1 OuL bnSEo was uOe OepLo
Of water enough for the gunboats, and It was
evident that the river could not Be crossed
without the protection Of the ironcladS. It
wa accordingly determined to take the terri
BILE risk OF running the batteries, and the
-gunboat Carondelet, Capt. Walker, was
chosen Is the pioneer. The boat was
strengthened by every continuance that could
Be devised. The most vulnerable parts were
shielded with rolls OF surplus chains, the
dscks were covered with . layer Of heavy
planks, and q large hawser was wound
around the pilot house MP to the window.
and hose for throwing hot water were at
tached 70 the boilers for the purpose Of re-
polling boarders. A large coal barge laden
With compact bundles OF hay was also taken
In tow on the side exposed to the batteries.
The machinery was 80 adjusted as to permit
the escape OF steam through the wheelhouse
and thus avoid the usual putting In its pas
sage through the pipes The night was all
that could be desired; the atmosphere hAzy
and the start was made. For the first half
mile all went well Suddenly the SCOT In the
chinnneys took fire and the Game In their tops
aroused the Confederate encampments. Sig.
nal rockets were instantly sent up, the long
roll sounded, and one OF the batteries opened
on the dim appaIition drifting by, almost
within point blank range. Shot now followed
shot In rapid Volleys from more than a hun
dred guns, and further concealment being
out Of the question orders were given to the
engineers to drive the boat with all possible
speed. As II the hand OF Providence werS
directing, q storm now burst in all its fury
and amid vivid flashes of lightning and peal
| Of thunder, through rain and darkness and